Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have had its onset during service due to noise exposure, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The VA denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that there was no current diagnosis of these conditions for VA purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his in-service noise exposure, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and heart disease as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that no legal or factual basis existed to grant the benefit.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not currently have tinnitus and therefore, service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for meningitis was dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability, as the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinnitus was denied, and his claim to reopen a low back disability service connection claim was also denied. The Board found new evidence submitted since the last final decision that could potentially relate his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's bilateral tinnitus was found to have begun in service and has been continuous since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have tinnitus, hypertension, or a renal disability that is attributable to his active military service. The claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board determined that the Veteran's second period of military service was not honorable for VA purposes and is a bar to VA benefits. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and development, including obtaining VA treatment records from May 2006 to March 2008 and scheduling a VA medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for panhypopituitarism, and the Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional evidence regarding his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has aggravated his left leg and arm spasticity, as well as his headaches. The Board finds that these conditions are secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran is seeking special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. However, a remand is necessary as the VA examinations did not consider whether his medications render him housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS and denied service connection for paresthesias of the left upper extremity. The remaining claims are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service, with no evidence of pre-existing conditions or aggravation. The claim for service connection is granted.